Packing apparatus



A April 15, 1924..

D. H. STROUD PACKING APPARATUS Filed June l5, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l ITNESSES:

pri 15, 1924.

' usllmn1ummuunnnmmmmunnmumllllu D. H. STROUD PACKING APARATUS Filed June l5 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I FI@ 1H- JNVENTOR; Da'vdf Sroud,

BY ATTORNEYS.

April 15, 1924.

D. H. sTRoUD PACKING APPARATUS l Filed June 15. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR: avid E Smzd,

j TToRNEYs.

WI TNESSES: 7./

April 15, 192.4. 1,490,350

` D. H. STROUD` PACKING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1923 4 sheetsheet 4 INVENTOR:

TNESSES: i Y l VIVI L? awidlioud,

Patented Apr. l5, 1924.

NETE@ STATES Devin H. sTaoUn, or NOBLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

PACKING APPARATUS.

Application led June 15, 1923.

To all vii/1.0m. t fina/ y concern Be it known that l, Davn) H. S'rnoUD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Noble, in the county of'Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Packing Apparatus, of which the following is a specifica'- tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates generally to packing apparatus, and more specilically to apparatus advantageous to the textile industry in compacting thread into cops for use in the shuttles of looms.

As is well known to those schooled in textile manufacture, it is essential to production of pile fabrics, such as carpets or rugs for instance, that the chenille used as the weft thread be laid in a definite position in the fabrics, and this is especially true when the tufts in the chenille are differently and alternatively colored initially to produce a predetermined pattern in the finished articles.- Accordingly, when the chenille is wound into cops in the ordinary manner, it is invariably necessary for the weaver, after each shot of the shuttle, to eliminate all twists before beating the chenille into the fabric.

My invention is directed chiefly toward provision of apparatus capable of compacting chenille thread into cops in such manner as to preclude induction of twists, and thereby to eliminate the difficulties above pointed out when used in the shuttles of looms.

How the foregoing desideratum may be attained, together with other objects and attendant advantages, will become apparent from the detailed description, which follows, of a typical embodiment of my invention; vhile the appended claims clearly define the scope of said invention in so far as it comes within my present knowledge.

ln the drawings Fig. l is an elevation of a packing apparatus conveniently embodying my invention showing the same as it appears when viewed from the iront, and with portions thereof broken away and in section to expose certain novel details which would otherwise be concealed.

Fig. ll is an end elevation of the apparatus as viewed 'from the leftof Fig. I.

Fig. Ill is a cross-section of the same taken as indicated bythe arrows III-III in Fig. l.

Fig. lV is a detail view, on an enlarged Serial No. 645,497.

scale, illustrating the manner in which the chenille is packed, in accordance with my invention, into containers provided for its reception.

Fig. V is a fragmentary detail, likewise enlarged, of the mechanism for driving the means whereby the chenille is fed and packed into the containers.

Fig. VI is a view showing the details of theY clutch mechanism associated with the drive mechanismsupra.

Figs. VII and VIII are, respectively, a perspective view, and a longitudinal sectional view of said clutch mechanism.

Fig. IX is an illustration, on a larger scale than the others, of the clutch pin formingpart of the clutch mechanism; and

Fig. X is a detail view of one of the containers for the chenille.4

As herein shown, the apparatus includes a frame comprehensively indicated at l designed for the support of the various moving parts of the structure. This frame, it will be observed, comprises end members 2-Q, and a series of longitudinally extending members or beams 3, 4, 5 and 6 which tie together said end members and cooperate to impart the necessary rigidity to the frame. Reciprocatory in bearings jointly afforded by the beams 3 and i of the frame, are plungers 7 which are aligned with a corresponding number of spaced carriers S which serve as holders for containers represented at 9, into which the chenille is to be packed. These elements constitute, with other associated parts yet to be described, individual packing units which are exact counterparts of one another so that the description of one will hold for the others. `Proceeding therefore, in the singular, the carrier 8 is shown as being generally cylindrical in form, but cut away at the front, as indicated at l0, to permit ready insertion and withdrawal of the container 9. This carrier 8, furthermore, is adapted ,to recede downwardly as the niaterial accumulates in the container 9, guidance being afforded by a pair ot rodsl'l rising from anchorage lugs l2 projecting outwardly from the beam 6 as clearly shown in Fig. l. v

The chenille, indicated by the letter C in the drawings, is fed into the container 9 by a grooved feed roll 13, but before encountering said roll, isdrawn over a fixed bar l5 extending longitudinally across the back of th? frame l. The bar 15 is appropriately notched as at 16 to assist guidance of the chenille C and to remove any twist in the same. The roll 13 is mounted for tree rotation upon a shaft 17, and is driven in a manner which will be presently explained. Feeding of the chenille C is assisted by an auxiliary roller 18 which is actuated through the medium of a belt connection 19 with the roll 13 as best seen in Fig. Hl. In order to permit taking up of the slack in the belt 19, the roller 18 is mounted upon a support ing arm 2O which is adjustably set upon a fixed rod 21 extending longitudinally between the end members 2 2 of the frame 1. The chenille C fed as above noted, is directed into the container 9 in the carrier 8 through a funnel-like chute 22 having in its wall a channel 23 for guiding said chenille, in a definite direction, in the course ot its passage into the container 9. Such guidance of the chenille C is further assisted through provision of a longitudinal groove 24 in the lower end of the plunger' 7 to register with the groove 23 as seen to the best advantage in Fig. IV, said groove 2a also serves as aclearance to permit free forward movement of the chenille C during the retractive strokes of the plunger 7. Y

The recession ofv the carrier 8, compensatively, as the material accumulates in the container 9, is opposed by a countcrweight 25, which is attached to the end of a fiexible connector in the form of a cord or cable 26. This cord or cable 2G passes about an idler pulley 27 supported between spaced, rearwardly projecting lugs 28 of the beam 5. The other end of the connector or card 26 is tied to a hooked lugl 29 on the back of the carrier 8. For the purpose of' maintaining the carrier 8 in its successive shifted positions,l provide a check in the. form of a sector clamp 30, sce Fig. IV, which is fixed to a shaft 31journalled between the lugs 28 already referred to, directly above the pulley 27. This check 30, it will be noted, has an eccentric edge 32 adapted to bind the cord or cable 26 within the groove of the pulley 27. such binding action being prompted by a` weighted lever secured on the same shaft with said sector. is a result ot this arrangement. the pulley 27 is free to rotate in correspondence with the downward movement of the carrier 8, but retrograde movement thereof is checked to hold said carrier in successive shifted positions while the plunger 7 moves away from the same during its upward idle strokes. At its outer end, the weighted lever has a finger grasp 34C whereby it may be readily lifted to trip the check 30, thereby removing all restraint upon the pulley 27 and allowing the weight 25 to automatically restore the carrier 8 to its normal or starting position after a new container 9 has been substituted therein for one previously filled.

The mechanism for reciprocating the plunger 7 includes an overhead rocker arm 35 mounted to oscillate freely upon a fixed longitudinal fulcrumbar 36 extending be* tween the frames 2 2, said arm 35 being connected at one end, by means of links 3 7, to opposite sides of a collar 38 fixed at the top of the plunger 7. weight 39 formed on the opposite end of the lever 35 serves as a counter-balance for the plunger 7 to stabilize its movements, and a coiled spring l-O, attached at one end to the counterweight and at the other, to a fixed anchorage l1 of the framework 1, functions to retract the plunger 7 on its idle strokes. The down strokes of t-he plunger 7 are effected by virtue of the connection of the lever 35, through the medium of a flexible band L12, with a drum 43 mounted for free rotation upon a fixed shaft 44 supported in suitable bearings on t-he end members 2 2 of the frame 1. The lower end ot the flexible connector l2 is secured by screws or their equivalents indicated at 45, to the radial edge of an angular cut in the drum 43 as best seen in Fig. V of the drawings. Through oscillations oit the drinn 43 induced as hereinafter explained, the connector 12 is alternately wound upon, and unwound from the drum, in the first instance drawing upon the arm 35 to determine the down or active stroke of the plunger 7, and, in the other instance, yielding to the spring 4l() whereby7 said plunger is retracted. Slight excess movement accorded the drum 4:3 allows a certain amount of slack in the flexible connector 4:2 and thereby defines a dwell., directly after the plunger 7 reaches the limit of its upward strokes, which is determined by contact of the collar 38 with the guide bearing of the rail 3. The. time interval thus afforded will permit feeding ot an exlength of chenille C before the plunger 7 descends so that 'folds are formed as a consequence as shown in Fig. IV.

The drum receives its motion from the main drive or power shaft i6 of the machine through a clutch mechanism and interposed connections about to be described. Fixed to the power shaft 46 is a collar 47 having a lugprojection 1-8 adapted to engage with a sectoral lug 49 at the end of a clutch pin 49a, (see Figs. VU and Vlll). carried by a. gear 50. This gear 50 iu turn drives an iuv4 termeshiug gear 51 supportcrl by a bracket 52 hung between the sha ft etal and the power shaft 4G. rThe gear 5l has a crank pin 53 which projects from' the side remote from the observer in Fig. V, and is connected by means of a link 54- to a similar crank pin 55 on the near side of the drum By this arrangement rotation of the gear 51 is translated into oscillations of the drum 43. Attention is now directed to Fig. VIII wherefrom ,it will be seen that the clutch pin. 49a

has an aXial cavity for the accommodation, of a spring 56 which tends to maintain the pin in its projected position and therefore in the path of the lug LlSof the col/lar 17, So long as this engagement exists the plunger 7 will be continuously reciprocated and the chenille C concurrently therewith, continuously fed, the latter by reason ofV a belt connection 57 between the gear 50 and the roller 13 over which said chenille travels. For the purpose of automatically sus-V pending the activity of these parts when the container 9 has been filled, I provide means for causing the disengagement of the clutch members 48, 49 when the carrier 8 has rececled to` a predetermined extent. This mechanism includes a draw bolt 60 guided for longitudinal shifting, Ljointly by a boss 61.011 the bracket 52 previously referred to, and a lug 62 depending from the longitudinal cross rail or bar 6 of the frame l. When the draw bolt 6() is projected to the left as considered in Fig. V its inner end intercepts the clutch pin 49a, and, by engaging a cam surface 63, (see also Figs. VII, VIII and IX) at the end of the latter directly adjacent the lug 49, forces the same into its retaining cavity in the gear 50 and thereby effects its removal from the province of the lug 48 of the collar 47. When this happens, it will be seen that the drive mechanism is rendered inactive thereby causing feeding of the chenille C to ceja-se, and simultaneously therewith, suspension in the movements of the plunger 7. Referring again to Fig. V, aV spring 65 compressed between the lug 62 and a collar 66 on the rod 60, tends to'urge said rod inward, and when the drive mechanism is to be maintained in activity, this tendency is opposed by a latch 67 which engages behind a shoulder afforded by a grasp knob 68 at the outer end of said rod. The latch 67 is pivoted forfree movement about a stud 69, and is counterweighted as at 70 (see Fig. I) so as to be urged at all times into the active position shown in the drawings. This latch 67 is further provided with a projection 7l which lies within the path of a sto-p 72, (see Fig. IV) adjustably set in, and depending from a. lug 7 of the carrier 8. Thus, as the carrier 8 moves downwardly, the stop 72, by engaging` the projection 71. swings the trip 67` thereby effecting release of the rod 60, which, under the compressive force of the spring 65, is thrust inwardly so that its forward end engages the clutch pin Elias already noted to render the drive mechanism idle.

Both from the standpoint of convenience inyhandling, and that of greater longevity, I prefer to construct the container 9 in bag form from flexible material, for example burlap or the like. A container 9 so made will, on the onehand, accommodate itself readily to the shape of the carrier 8, and on loperation of the plunger the other, when filled, may be readily inserted in the cavity of a loom shuttle. Collapse of the container 9 and its displacement otherwise in the carrier 8, isy prevented by provision of a ferrule secured aboutvthe open end or mouth Vof the bag and adaptedl'o support the same in suspension from the top of the carrier 8. v rlhe said ferrule 75, as ybest shown in Figs. IV and X, comprises two annular parts 76, 77, the one provided with a tapered prolongation 78 adapted to be telescopically received in the other and to clamp between them, the margin of the fabric about the mouth of the bag. A de-V pendingtubular prolongation 7 9 of the funnel guide 22, serves to maintainv the-bag .or container 9 open thereby facilitating the feeding thereinto of the chenille C, and, by its interposition, prevents said bag from being pulled out of the carrier 8 during the retractive strokes of the plunger 7. Y

The chenille C may be drawn under the action of the feed roll lrfrom any convenient source of supply, provided however that a proper degree of tension is maintained thereon in order to prevent excessive slack. As an example of means suitable to this end, attention is once more directed to Figs. II

and III of the drawings. The chenille@ is initially prepared preferably by winding.r the same upon a reel or beam 80, one such being provided for each unit of the machine. This reel or beam 8O ismounted between a pair of supporting brackets vSl bolted vor otherwise secured to the machine frame and extending laterally outward from the rear thereof as shown. The desired tension may be induced and maintained by means of adj ustable screws 82 let into the journals of the brackets 81 and bearing against. the shaft 83 of the reel or 'beam 80 aforesaid.

'Ihe' operation of my improved packing apparatus is as follows:

Assuming, (as is suggested in the drawings), that the various parts of the'apparatus are in motion, it will be seenV in view of the constant feeding of the chenille C, and by virtue of the dwell periods in the movements of the plunger 7, that folds will be successively formed in the chenille C and the latter thus packed in the container 9, the direction of laying of such folds being predetermined by the cooperation of the directing groove 23 in the funnel guide 22 and the longitudinal slot 24 inthe plunger 7. Packtainer 9 is filled' and when the carrier S for essary to bring about the engagement of the` stop 72 with the trip 67,.thereby releasing the bolt GO to the action of the spring 65 and causing the disengagement of the clutch members 48, 9 as already understood. Thereupon, feeding of the chenille C and the 7 immediately ing of the material proceeds until the con-r ceases, the carrier S with thc filled centainer 9 remaining `in the lowered position so that vsaid .container may be iremoved and replaced by a new one. The latter act is accomplished by first placing the ferrule 7 aboutl the Itop of the container bag and drawing the same over the tubular extension 79 of the funnel guide 22, said extension being at this time exposed due to the Vvmaintenance of the carrier 8 in its lowered position. `When the new container 9 has been properly placed in the carrier 8, the operative, by grasping the finger projection 34@ on the lever 33 associated with the check 30, releases the pulley 27 and `thereby permits'the weight 25 to elevate the carrier 8 to the original or starting position. rlChe driving mechanism may then. Ibe set in motion by grasping the knob G8 and drawing upon the bolt 60 so that the inner end ofthe latter lis retracted from the path of the clutch pin 49 when the parts of the drive mechanism will again assume the relations shown in F ig. V. Als the bolt 60 is drawn as above noted the latch 67 automatically slips, under the iniiuence of gravity, behind the head 68 to detain the bolt 6() in the drawn position until again released when the new bag has in its turn been filled. The above remarks of course hold good for each packing unit comprised in the apparatus, and,ysince individual drive means are provided for these units, one is entirely independent of the other, so that cessation of one for interchange of containers, does not interfere with operation of t-lie others.

lVhile I have herein shown and ydescribed my invention as especially suited to packing material in thread for-m, it is obvious that the same may be employed with equal advantages, and without departing` from the spirit of my invention, in packing a great many other materials or substances which need not be specifically mentioned.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In apparatus of the character described. the combination of a container, grooved means for feeding and guiding inaterial in thread foi-in thereinto, and associated grooved mea-ns for packing said material in the container with uniform successive folds.

Q. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a container, a

grooved feed roll and grooved chute for respectively feeding and guiding material in thread form thereinto, and grooved means intermittently cooperative therewith, whereby the material is packed with uniform successive folds.

3. In apparatus Yof vthe character described, the combination of a container, a grooved feed roll and associated grooved chute for direct-ing material in thread form ine-dese thereinto, and a longitudinally grooved packing means cooperative with said directing means to determine the laying of the material in uniform successive folds.

et. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a container, a` grooved feed roll and aligned grooved chute for directing materia-l in thread form thereinto, a longitudinally grooved plunger cooperative with said direct-ing means to determine the laying of the material in uniform successive folds, and a carrier for the container capable of automatic recession after each consecutive fold of material is compressed therein.

In apparatus ofthe character described, the combination of a reciprocating grooved plunger, a. gi'ooved feed roll and chute cooperative therewith to determine the packing of material in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds, a carrier for the container capable of receding as the material accumulates in the container, means tending to oppose movement vof t-he carrier, and a check operative upon the latter means for the purpose of maintaining the carrier aforesaid in successive shifted positions during the lretractive strokes of the plunger.

`G. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a reciprocating grooved plunger, a grooved feed roll and chute cooperative therewith to determine the packing of material in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds, a `carrier for `the container capable of receding the material accumulates in the container, a counterweight tending to oppose movement of the carrier, and a check operative upon the counterweight for the purpose of maintaining the carrier aforesaid in successive shifted positions during the retractive strokes of the plunger.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a reciprocating grooved plunger, a g-rooved feed roll and chute c0- operat-ive therewith to determine the packing of material in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds, a carrier for the container capable of receding as the material accumulates in the container, a counterweight tending to oppose movenient of the carrier, a flexible cord whereby the counterweight is connected to the carrier, a pulley over which the cord is guided, and a gravity fall-sector clainpallowing rotation of thefpulley to permit free recession of the carrier but preventing movement of the pulley during retract-ive strokes of the plunger so that the carrier is maintained in its successive shifted positions.

8. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a reciprocating grooved plunger, a grooved feed roll and chute cooperative therewith -to determine the packing of material in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds, a carrier for the container capable of receding as the material accumulates in the container, a counterweight tending to oppose movement of the carrier, a check operative upon the counter-weight for the purpose of maintaining the carrier aforesaid in successive shifted positions during the retractive strokes of the plunger, and means whereby the check may be tripped to permit returnof the carrier to its orio'inal or starting position upon the substitution therein of an empty container for one previously filled.

9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a reciprocating grooved plunger, a grooved feed roll and chute cooperative therewith to determine the pacl.- ing of material in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds,a carrier for the container capable of receding as the material accumulates in the container, a counterweight tending to oppose movement of the carrier, a flexible cord whereby the connterweight is connected to the carrier, a pulley over which the cord is guided, check means allowing rotation of the pulley to permit free recession of the carrier but preventing movement of the pulley duringy retractive strokes of the plunger so that the carrier is maintained in its successive shifted positions, and devices whereby the brake means may be released to permit automatic return of the carrier to its original or starting position upon substitution therein of an empty container for one previously filled.

l0. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for continuously directing material in thread form into la container, a cooperative reciprocating grooved plunger adapted to pack the material in said container with uniform successive folds, and actuating means for the plunger defining a dwell at the end of the retractive strokes of said plunger to afford a time interval for sufiicient excess feeding of the material to determine the aforesaid fold previous to each descent of said plunger into the container.

ll. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for feeding material in thread form,alongitudinally grooved channel guide for directing the material into a container and to determine laying of said material with uniform successive folds in one direction only, and a longitudinally grooved plunger for compressing the successive folds compactly in the container.

12. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for feedin material in thread form, a channel guide for directing the material into a container and to determine folding of the material uniformly in one direction only, and a plunger for compressing the successive folds compactly in the container, said plunger having a longitudinal clearance groove registering with the channelled guide so that withdrawal of the material from the container is prevented during retraetive strokes of the plunger.

13.111 apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plunger for packing material into a container, and means for reciprocating the plunger including a rocker arm, an oscillating drum, a flexible connector attached to the arm aforesaid and adapted to be wound upon the oscillating drum to determine movementto the plunger in one direction, and yielding means operative to take up the slack of the flexible connector while being unwound from the drum and to determine movement of the plunger in the opposite direction.

14. In'apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for packing material in thread form into a containerwith uniform, successive folds said container having a ferrule comprising telescopic parts between which the mouth of the container is clamped, a carrier for the container capable of receding as the material accumulates in the container, means for maintaining the container open during filling, and mechanism for rendering the packing means aforesaid automatically inactive when the container is full.

l5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for packingmaterial in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds, said con-i tainer including a ferrule comprising telescopic annuli having tapered co-operative parts between which the container mouth is clamped, a carrier for the container capable of receding as thematerial accumuiates in the container, a tubular insert for maintaining' the container expanded during filling and mechanism coordinated with the carrier for rendering the packing means aforesaid automatically inactive when the container is full.

i6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of mechanism for packing material in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds, said container including a telescopic ferrule in which the container mouth is securely clamped, mechanism including a control clutch for actuating the packing means, an associated clutch disengaging means, a carrier for the container aforesaid capable of receding as the material accumulates in the container and an adjustable stop on said carrier adapted to automatically trip the clutch disengaging means for t-he purpose of rendering the packing mechanism idle when the container is full.

17. In apparatus of the character described for packing' material in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds, the combination of mechanism for actuating` said packing' means including' a clutch, a spring` inliuenced dra-w bolt associated with the clutch, a latch adapted to engage behind a shoulder of the draw bolt when the clutch is set, a carrier for the container aforesaid capable of receding' as the material accumulates in the container, and an adjustable stop on the carrier adapted to automatically trip the latch, thereby to release the daw bolt and effect disen- `@agement of the clutch for the purpose of rendering the packing' means idle when the container is full.

.18. In apparatus of the character described for packing material in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds, the conibii'iation of mechanism for actuatingthe packing' means including' a power shaft, a drive collar fixed to the shaft, a member mounted for free rot-ation on the shaft adjacent the collar, a clutch pin carried by the member and normally maintained laterally projected under spring pressure to engage with ar lug;- on the drive collar, and a clutch control bolt adapted by being thrust into the path of the clutch pin to contact with a cam surface in the end of said piu for the purpose of displacing' vthe same .from the province of the drive collar, and thereby renderingthe packing; means idle when the container is full.

1). In appara-tus of the character described for packingl material in thread form into a container with uniform successive folds, the combination of mechanism for actuating' the packing means including' a power shaft, a drive collar fixed to the shaft, a member mounted for free rotation on the shaft adjacent the collar, a clutch pin carried by the member and normally maintained laterally projected under spring pressure to engage with a lug on the drive collar, a clutch control bolt adapted by being thrust into the path of the clutch piu to contact with a cam surface in the end of said pin for the purpose of displacing the same from the province of the drive collar, a spring normally tending to thrust the bolt forward, a gravity fall latch adapted to engage behind a shoulder of the bolt to maintain the same retracted, and an adjustable stop on the carrier aforesaid for automatically tripping the latch when the container is filled for the purpose ot' bringing about disengagement of the clutch elements and consequent inactivity of the packinpmeans.

20. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a series of mechanisms for packing material in thread form into a corresponding number of containers with uniform successive folds, said containers each having a telescopic mouth gripjiiing ferrule applied thereto, an associated series of individual carriers for the containers capablel of receding independently of one another as the material accumulates in the containers, an associated control clutch and disengaging mechanism for each carrier, and means adapted to be actuated individually by the carriers for tripping' the disengaging mechanism and rendering;` their associated packing` means idle when the corresponding containers are filled.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name` at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 13th day of June, 1923.

DAVID H. STROUD. lVitnesses AARON E. LowRY, JAMES H. BELL. 

